Injury blow to Black Stars as they play Liberia on Tuesday

There seems to be a major injury concern for the Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton, as he leads the team in an international friendly against Liberia at the Accra Stadium tomorrow.

Left-back Baba Rahman is reported to have pulled out of the game due to a knock he picked during last Thursday’s AFCON qualifier against Central African Republic (CAR) while Gideon Mensah is also a doubt for the game due to injury.

In the absence of Rahman, Coach Hughton has invited Medeama SC left back, Fatawu Hamidu, as back up for the Black Stars in this important game.

Ghana’s 2-1 victory over the CAR in the final game of the AFCON qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium last Thursday seemed to have raised their confidence and match fitness ahead of this game, as whoever gets the nod to play will try to impress the coach.

Unlike the Black Stars, the Lone Stars of Liberia could not honour their AFCON qualifier against Morocco on Saturday due to an earthquake that hit the host country, and coach Ansumana Keita is unable to access his players ahead of this game.  

Liberia sit at the bottom of their group and were going to play for pride but the suspension of the game means they have to turn their attention to their friendly game against the Black Stars.

It is expected that the Ghana gaffer will rest most of the first team squad who played in the qualifier and give some fringe players the opportunity to show what they can do on a big stage.

But even though this might not be a high-profile game, the Black Stars are determined to prove their superiority over the Liberians to record their ninth victory over their West Africa neighbours in 19 outings.

The last time the two teams met was under similar circumstances when Liberia beat the Black Stars by 2-0 in an international friendly in 2012, and this will present the Black Stars the opportunity to avenge the defeat.

Skipper Andre Ayew who did not play in the last game could lead the team with the likes of Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Kudus Mohammed and Jordan Ayew expected to be in action tomorrow.

Since current Liberia President, George Oppong Weah, hanged his boot, the country has not been able to produce a top star like him, but the coach invited some foreign-based players, including Mohammed Sangare, Oscar Dorley of Slavia Prague, Mohammed Kamara of Hapoel Haifa and Brem Soumaoro of York United in Canada.